An advisory committee to the Korean Football Association (KFA) on Thursday recommended firing coach Jurgen Klinsmann after their exit in the Asian Cup semi-finals and amid criticism of his leadership.
The National Teams Committee does not make administrative decisions, leaving it up to the KFA Executive Committee whether to act on its recommendation to fire Klinsmann, whose contract runs until the 2026 World Cup.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (US)
South Korea, 23rd in the FIFA rankings, was defeated by 87th-ranked Jordan 2-0 in the Asian Cup semi-finals earlier this month, prompting fans and some politicians to call for his dismissal. of the 59-year-old player.
The German's popularity in Korea plummeted during the tournament, with many criticizing his behavior, including how he smiled even when things were not going his team's way on the field.
Off the field, Klinsmann also faced repeated criticism for often working in Los Angeles, where he resides, despite saying he would spend much of his time in South Korea.
He participated in Thursday's meeting via video call.
“For various reasons, it was concluded that coach Klinsmann can no longer provide leadership as coach of the national team and needs to be replaced,” Hwang Bo-Kwan, technical director of the national team, told reporters after the meeting. association.
Some saw Klinsmann's attitude toward his work, including his lack of time in South Korea, as “disrespectful” toward the public, Hwang added.
Klinsmann, who won the World Cup in 1990 as a player, previously managed the German and United States national teams, as well as Bundesliga club Bayern Munich.
He took charge of South Korea last year after Paulo Bento resigned following their loss to Brazil in the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup.
Klinsmann's tenure got off to a rocky start, with South Korea failing to win any of his first five games in charge, losing to Uruguay and Peru and drawing with Colombia, El Salvador and Wales.
South Korea's form improved in the build-up to the Asian Cup with a six-match winning streak and despite being far from their best in Qatar, the Asian heavyweights improved on their quarter-final exit in the 2019 edition by reaching the quarterfinals.
In their semi-final loss to Jordan, they failed to register a single shot on goal, falling short in their bid to end a 64-year wait for a third title.
